Despite health benefits gained from physical activity and sport participation, older adults are less likely to be active. This study investigates what influences 50- to 75-year-olds (N = 439) to initiate and maintain walking football, across gender, socioeconomic status, number of health conditions, and physical activity level. It also considers relationships between participant characteristics and influences, and intentions to play after a forced break (COVID-19). Results of a U.K. online cross-sectional survey found those with two or more health conditions rated social influences significantly higher in initiation and maintenance than participants with no health conditions. Multiple regression analysis found a positive walking football culture, and perceived use of maintenance resources contributed significantly to intentions to return to play after COVID-19 restrictions eased. Practitioners should consider providing opportunities for social connection, foster a positive walking football culture, and encourage players to utilize maintenance resources (e.g., scheduling sessions) in older adult walking football sessions.

尽管身体活动和体育参与对健康有益，但老年人不太可能活跃。本研究调查影响 50 至 75 岁人群的因素（N = 439) 发起和维持步行足球，跨性别、社会经济地位、健康状况数量和身体活动水平。它还考虑了参与者特征和影响之间的关系，以及强制休息后玩游戏的意图 (COVID-19)。英国一项在线横断面调查的结果发现，那些有两种或两种以上健康状况的人在发起和维持方面对社会影响的评价明显高于没有健康状况的参与者。多元回归分析发现了一种积极的步行足球文化，并且在 COVID-19 限制放宽后，对维护资源的感知使用对重返比赛的意图有很大影响。从业者应考虑提供社交机会，培养积极的步行足球文化，